Cleaning stand for venetian blinds



June 3, 1952 KERR 2,598,798

CLEANING STAND FOR VENETIAN BLINDS Filed March 19, 1947 #2396. @igf a 11399.

3mm vn M. KERR.

Patented June 3, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLEANING STAND FOR VENETIAN BLINDS Eva M. Kerr, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Application March 19, 1947, Serial No. 735,680

2 Claims.

My invention refers to improvements in means for cleaning Venetian blinds. It has for its object to provide a support whereby the blind may be suspended at full length on a suitable frame, with the slats disposed across the supporting frame.

The device is capable of reversal of the slats to present the front and back successively of the several series of slats for cleaning, and whereby a collapsible frame for such purpose is provided. The frame is so constructed as to support a blind across its front, fully extended as to the series of vanes or slats for presentation frontwise and backwise for cleaning. The supporting frame, and its positions in use are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation showing the frame in position for attachment of the blind.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section on the line 11-11 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side view thereof, showing the blind as supported.

Figs. 4 and 5 are edge views, showing the front and back portions of the supporting frame in collapsed condition, for transfer.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged partial detail view, illustrating the position of the blind, with the vanes or slats arranged horiz'ontally.-

Fig. '7 is a similar view showing the slats tilted to vertical position, in substantially registering alignment.

Fig. 8 is a similar view showing the slats reversed.

Fig. 9 is a partial face view of the slats extended for exposure of either faces thereof.

For the purpose of suspending the blind in extended position, as in Fig. 3, I provide a supporting frame having front double side sections 2 and 3, and rear double side sections 4 and 5, coupled together by suitable pivoting connections 6, as when erected.

Sections 2 and 3, and 4 and 5, are connected by hinges 1, and a cross brace or braces 8 is/are pivotally connected with one section, as 5, by a pivoting joint 9.

The opposite terminal of brace 8 is provided with a slotted terminal It], for interengaging connection with a locking pin l I, at each side of the front lower frame section 3.

A secondary pin Ha on section 5, provides for temporary storage of brace 8 when not in use.

By such construction, the front and back framing may be separately assembled and collapsed in folded position, as to both, and for close assemblage in packing, as in Figs. 4 and 5.

The framing supported by the main side mem-' bers 2-3, is provided with a series of longitudinal supporting strips l2, preferably spaced apart, for supporting the blind in front of such frame, as in Fig. 3.

For such purpose, the frame is provided at the top with a pair of hooks I3, for supporting attachment by the upper tilting bar l5 of the blind, with the several slat members A thereof in extended position. The tilting bar is laid across the pins, which may be rotatably secured in position, and with the slats of the blind resting against'the slightly inclined surface of the front framing 2-3, and its strips [2.

Ordinarily, Venetian blinds of modern construction, are provided with such a supporting tilting bar l5, into which the major portion of the several cross slats A and their connecting ladder tapes I6 may be assembled, entirely or separately, when the blind is entirely or separately raised, and are provided with the usual bottom bar H.

The series of slats A and their connected raising, lowering, and tilting elements, with their raising and lowering cords, when assembled, may be swung outwardly by bottom bar ll, away from contact with the inclined framing members 23, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3.

As thus suspended the several individual slat or bar members A may be adjusted into substantial edgewise alinement as in Fig. 7, exposing one surface, or reversed as in Fig. 8, presenting the opposite side, whereby both sides may be pre sented for cleaning.

When thus adjusted and released, the substantially vertical slats will lie flatly against the strips [2, thus being amply braced for cleaning, by any suitable means, as a brush, or cloth, etc.

Thereupon, by manipulation of the tilting cord, during outward lifting of the entire series, by bottom bar [1, the opposite sides or faces of the slats A may be also cleaned.

With either such treatment, it will be noted the slats are firmly resting against and braced by the strips l2, thus permitting vigorous pressure application of the cleaning material used.

The device may be made of standard sizes, of wood or other suitable material, and is of great advantage and utility in providing a substantial and durable means for the intended use.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the frame comprising the front sections 2 and 3 provides a useful tool or apparatus which facilitates the cleaning of Venetian blinds by a housewife. The frame may be leaned against a wall adjacent a window on which a Venetian blind to be cleaned is mounted, and the bind may be transferred to the frame for a cleaning operation. Although the supporting framework illustrated in Fig. 3 is desirable, it will be seen that such supporting framework is not essential. If it is desired to thoroughly wash a Venetian blind, this may be conveniently done in a bathroom. In such case, the supporting frame or structure is placed in a bath tub and leaned against a wall adjacent the bath tub, and the blinds to be cleaned may be mounted on the frame so that the cleaning water will be caught by the bath tub and carried away through the bath tub drain. The supporting frame is light in weight and may be conveniently carried by a housewife from one part of the house to another thereby eliminating the necessity of carrying Venetian blinds from the first and second floors, for example, to the basement for a cleaning operation.

What I claim is:

l. A cleaning apparatus for Venetian blinds having a plurality of horizontal flat slats adjustably supported by tapes for movement to and fromlclosed and open position which comprises a rectangular framework having parallel side members with a plurality of vertically extending spaced parallel slats therebetween, said framework further having an upper edge provided with hangers on which a blind to be cleaned may be hung, said framework having a size such that each horizontal slat of a blind supported thereon in open position will have supporting engagement at spaced points along its length with a plurality of said vertical framework slats so that a brush ing or wiping action may be applied to effect a cleaning action without substantial movement of the blind relative to said framework, the pressure applied to the blind slats by the cleaning action being transmitted directly through said vertical slats to said framework without material bending of the blind slats, said vertical framework slats providing a plurality of vertically extending drain openings through which cleaning liquid may drain from the blind, and hinge means separating said framework into upper and lower parts for pivotal movement to a collapsed position in which said parts overlie each other for convenience in transportation from one site to another.

2. A cleaning apparatus for Venetian blinds having a plurality of horizontal fiat slats adjustably supported by tapes for movement to and from closed and open position which comprises a rectangular framework having parallel side members with a plurality of vertically extending spaced parallel slats therebetween, said framework further having an upper edge provided with hangers on which a blind to be cleaned may be hung, said framework having a size such that each horizontal slat of a blind supported thereon in open position will have supporting engagement at spaced points along its length with a plurality of said vertical framework slats so that a brushing or Wiping action may be applied to effect a cleaning action without substantial movement of the blind relative to said framework, the pressure applied to the blind slats by the cleaning action being transmitted directly through said vertical slats to said framework without material bending of the blind slats, said vertical framework slats providing a plurality of vertically extending drain openings through which cleaning liquid may drain from the blind, hinge means separating said framework into upper and lower parts for pivotal movement to a collapsed position in which said parts overlie each other for convenience in transportation from one site to another, and supporting means detachably connectable to said framework adjacent its said upper edge for supporting said framework in a substantially vertical and upright position.

EVA M. KERR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 44933446 Dormitzer Apr. '7, 1891 453,193 Kinser June 2, 1891 513,485 Crozier Jan. 39, 1894 621,260 Likewise Mar. 14, 1899 629,589 Owen July 25, 1899 1,224,599 Butcher May 1, 1917 1,265,922 Lanier May 14, 1918 1,382,589 Ziegler June 21, 1921 2,115,693 White Apr. 26, 1938 2,200,247 Haas May 14, 1940 2,318,884 "Kelley May 11, 1943 2,398,617 Case Apr. 15, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 205,500 Switzerland Sept. 16, 1939 

